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Plot: A lonely metermaid has a psychotic reaction to his medication and becomes convinced he's a superhero. A very select group of people in life are truly gifted. Special is a movie about everyone else.
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Recent Reviews
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MCT:December 7, 2008With the superhero movement in full force, it's no surprise that independent filmmakers have begun to tackle the subject. And not only does this cover superhero ground, it's very reminiscent of the classic normal guy isn't so normal after all formula that we see in films like "Wanted". Film is the perfect medium to combat lonely ol' mundane existence with these delusions of grandeur. And in it's opening act, "Special" completely works. It's clever, funny, and the performances are so good that you have a great time tagging along. It's when the story gets so worked up on villains that "Special" looses it's charm, and unfortunately it never recovers. I loved watching the protagonist display his powers, but everytime the "suits" were involved, I was looking at my watch and begging for a mercy killing.
Les (Michael Rapaport) is a parking meter cop. He doesn't consider himself necessarily unhappy, rather he feels simply inconsequential. His only form of escapism from such an unfulfilling job is comic books, and he's a regular at a shop owned by his stoner best buds (Josh Peck & Paul Blackthorne).
One day, Les enrolls in a clinical trial for an experimental drug, although the purpose of said drug is never exactly explained. It's a sort of anti-depressant that "eliminates self-doubt". Unfortunately, it eliminates self-doubt to the point where Les begins to think he is a superhero not unlike those he reads about in his comic books. In the doctors office, he gleefully hovers above the ground, however the audience sees that he's really swimming on the floor. When he shows his stoner buddies his ability to run through walls, he comes back with a bloody nose. Directors Hal Haberman and Jeremy Passmore make sure that we always know Les is delusional and not, in fact, a superhero - so we tag along with everybody but Les and simply observe his wacky antics. It's part drama, and part "Jackass".
Michael Rapaport is a long-time character actor, and as a lead he's completely committed and convincing. I was a fan (perhaps the only fan) of the short-lived sitcom throwback, "The War at Home", in which Rapaport played a neurotic Jewish father. He's a really funny guy, and also a fresh face as a lead. If "Special" was successful in any way, it's that it gave Rapaport a much deserved lead role. We can only hope there will be more to come.
The supporting cast is also quite good, with my favorite being Jack Kehler, who played the doctor. Kehler was in the low-budget indie drama with Philip Seymour Hoffman entitled "Love Liza", and he was also very funny there. Like Rapaport, he's a fresh face and a convincing character actor that makes him a welcome addition to any of these low budget films. Josh Peck has also had mild success on the independent scene with films like "Mean Creek", and he's also quite good here. There isn't a single complaint you could make about the cast, besides perhaps the characters of the suits.
The suits are what completely ruined the film for me. They serve as Les' archnemesis' - executives from the drug company that Les had been involved in. Les, going around town tackling baddies before they actually commit a crime, is a significant figure on the news, and because he's donning Special's (the drug's) symbol on his back, he's an instant threat to the future of said drug. We're never quite sure if the suits are delusions or real, and the directors leave that up to interpretation. Either way, however, the drama in these scenes never worked. It may have had if the rest of the film wasn't so quirky and funny, but dramatic battle sequences against invisible foes is the last thing "Special" needed.
"Special" was an ambitious project, and it unfortunately falls flat on it's face in the second half. However, it still is mildly enjoyable due to a great lead performance and a deserving supporting cast. It's just that pesky overwriting that got in the way. This was a big disappointment. -
MCT:November 29, 2008No thanks.
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MCT:November 19, 2008
Snore.
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MCT:October 28, 2008finally getting a release!
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MCT:July 5, 2008
NOT INTERESTED
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MCT:December 28, 2008
Highly original in concept, this movie works more as a comedy than a human interest story. The first half is funny and works well, but the second half slows down and becomes more serious in nature and becomes a bit of a drag. It is almost as if the creators of the movie didn't know what direction to take the story, and ultimately ends with a thud. Great idea, but mediocre execution toward the end. To me, alot of potential but a missed opportunity.
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